Mexico State Congress votes to ban ‘candidates in common’

Posted onSeptember 15, 2010|Comments Off on Mexico State Congress votes to ban ‘candidates in common’

In a bid to prevent a potential PAN-PRD alliance from winning the governorship of the State of Mexico in next July’s election, the state Congress voted 52-21 to abolish the legal figure of “candidates in common” that allowed multiple parties to put forward a common candidate. The measure was supported by the PRI, PVEM, Panal, Covergencia, and Social Democratic parties, and opposed by the PAN and PRD. As a constitutional measure, it will need to be approved by a majority of the state’s municipal governments prior to October 3 in order to become effective for the July 2011 elections. Parties could still form coalitions, which would require them to have a common platform and a sole representative before the election authorities.

PAN and PRD leaders attacked what is being called the “Peña Law,” after Governor Enrique Peña Nieto.

Gustavo Madero, the PAN leader in the Senate, said, “This disturbs me a great deal, because it is a regressive measure that stinks of authoritarianism.” Senator Carlos Navarrete of the PRD said, “What is happening in the State of Mexico is the announcement by Enrique Peña Nieto of how he would govern if he were to become President of the Republic. With a regression to the past, with legislative sneak attacks, with imposition of measures to create the most positive scenario for him and his party.” (Reforma 9/14)